​Watts (Wattage): The amount of electricity an ojbect needs to work (or how much energy it emits when running).

Here's an analogy...

All the water in the system, kept in the tank, creates pressure.

Water flowing to the job site is measured and regulated.

The item being powered is then able to complete a task, exerting and expelling energy.

Lucky for filmmakers, we don't have to master the science behind electrons, protons, and neutrons in order to use lights. We can simply do a simple equation to figure out how many lights we can plug in to each circuit!

What's a Circuit?

Notice in this image above that wires run to every room in the house. Some rooms are grouped together on the same (colored) circuit and share the same power supply. This means that if someone trips the circuit (drawing too much power) in one room then all the rooms will lose power.

A circuit is where electricity enters and loops through an electrical system.

In a circuit, electricity enters and loops through an electrical system. In the image on the left, electricity is entering and existing the light bulb. The image on the right explains that the electricity exiting out of the light bulb is equal to the amount of electricity going in.

Where to Start?

In the United States, a typical house has:

A circuit breaker box (to regulate all power)

100 - 150 Amps circulating in total (split up between circuits)

110 - 120 Volts of pressure in each circuit

Outlets grouped in ciruits have 120V / 240V pressure and 20 Amps of available electricity

For example:

Kitchens usually have two circuits because the oven, refridgerator, microwave, and dishwasher all draw a lot of power. Each circuit is likely 20 Amps or more.

The dining and living rooms are usually paired together on a single cicuit because of typically low electrical needs.

Bathrooms are usually on their own circuit because hairdryers draw a lot of power.

Bedrooms are usually grouped together, which can be problematic during New England summers with window unit airconditioners.

Laundryroom is likely on it's own circuit as well because of the washer and dryer.

These images above show the same setup for a breaker box; a main line entering at the top, 120v and 240v breakers for a variety of circuits, a ground line, and a neutral line.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The circuit breaker box is important to filmmakers because it tells us which rooms are grouped together and which rooms share the same 20 amps of power.

So...where do we plug in our lights?

Here's where the math comes in...

Watts = Volts x Amps

Mock Scenario

You have three Lowel Tota lights that you need to light up a living room scene. Each light draws / uses 800 watts.

Look over the house floor plan to study the living room.

Look at the circuit breaker box picture to see what rooms are on each circuit.;

"LVD" means liviging room/dining room for this house.

Assignment:

​Figure out how many of these lights we can plug into the LVD circuit.

Figure out if we need to plug in any lights anywhere else in the house.​

Process

3 Lowel Tota Lights (800W + 800W + 800W) = 2400 Watts

Formula: Wattage = Volts x Amps

2400W = 110V (Standard USA Outlet) x Amp

​Solve for Amps!

Divide both sides by 120V; meaning 2400/120 = 20 Amps

Result: The three lights combined will push the circuit to capacity.

Answer Summary

We should plug two lights into the Living Room / Dining Room (LVD) and then the third light into an outlet in the kitchen.

If a typical American house has only 20 Amps per circuit then we can plug in TWO of these lights into ONE circuit (drawing about 14 Amps).

However, we need to plug the LAST light into a DIFFERENT circuit (which will draw about 7 Amps).

The word photography meansdrawing with light. Photography comes from two Greek words; 'photos' which means light and 'graphe' which means drawing.

These two images above (lighting and window) represent how important light is in capturing an image. Without light the camera would only capture pitch black frames.

Quality of Light

Hard Light is light that comes direct and harsh from a light source. The transition between light and dark is clear and noticeable (meaning you can see the line).

Soft Light is light that comes diffused and scattered from a light source. The transition between light and dark is gradual (meaning you cannot see a hard line).

When we talk about light, we talk about it in terms of quality. ​The quality of light can be described as hard light or soft light. And, it is clear which is which when you look at the transition between where a light falls from brightly lit into shadow (see examples below).

The images above show how hard light has a sharp and definable edge. The images also show that soft light has a gradual and subtle edge.

Examples of Hard LightMeaning, these have clearly defined lines between light and shadow.

Examples of Soft LightThese images have a gentle gradation between light and shadow so that the line is almost impossible to identify.

This is a very important differentiation (between hard and soft light) that you need to make as portrait photographers, because soft light is often the most flattering light for faces. ​

Modifying Light

What does the word diffuse mean? This is likely the single most important word you may use when talking about photography and lighting. Diffusing a light is the process of taking the hard parallel light rays and scattering them in different directions to make them soft.

Look at this guy for a second... The light on his face is pretty similar. You can really tell the difference between the types of light (side-by-side comparison) when you look at the shadows cast on the wall behind him. These shadows tell you whether the light is hard or soft. Learn to look at shadows!

Example Scene: Studying Styles of Lighting

"The first set was inspired by the sort of 1950’s Hollywood, film-noir style light with the subject the classic 'femme-fatale' that often featured in these movies. As [the woman's] outfit was all black, we needed some 1) fill which is provided by the gridded strip-box on the right. This is feathered off towards camera. The 2) main light, a gridded beauty dish, is actually hidden behind that strip-box and is aimed at her head and shoulders. The last light, the 3) edge light is off to camera left lighting the hair and providing edge light down her right arm." -- Owen Lloyd Photography

Summary: This setup combines hard and soft light. The soft light provides a nice broad light from above while the backlight creates some nice crisp small shadows to help give definition and shape.

Direction of Light

Everything you do must be motivated because it builds meaning. If the light is coming from above the viewer will associate and assume the light source is either a street lamp, the sun, the moon, etc. Everything you do builds meaning and depth to your images. It is your job as a photographer to figure out the look you're doing for and what you ultimately want viewers of the image to feel. Then you need to work backwards to build that feeling.

Overhead Light: Hard sunlight coming from above can often cause a raccoon effect, casting shadows under and in your subject's eyes. Shooting in direct sunlight is not typically flattering for this reason. Find ways to fill in shadows with bounce cards and fill lights. Also consider softening the light source to fill in those shadows.

Side Light: Hard side light can often make a person appear mysterious and distant because half of their face is blacked out in shadow. Use this type of lighting to your advantage when you need to add mystery. But, if you don't want to capture a 1940s drama then make sure to fill in that shadow with your fill light or bounce card.

Types of Lights

Lowel Omni Tungsten Light 500 Watt

Lowel Tota Tungsten Light 800 Watt

Arri Fresnel Tungsten Light 650 Watt

LED Light Pannel Variable Color Temperature 45 Watt

When you're working with any lighting instruments, it's important to be trained on that particular light because there are serious safety risks. Take a look at the linked post to the right, which covers many of the major safety issues surrounding lighting for video and film.

Light Stands: When you setup a light stand, it is critical that the legs are spread out far enough so the light is well balanced and stable. Make sure the spreader is parallel with the ground.

Adding the Light Fixture: Make sure that the light stand you're using is strong enough to hold the light. When you attach the power cable, make sure it fully reaches the ground and is not a tripping hazard. And, finally, when you add an umbrella keep it at least 2-feet away from the light or it may start to discolor and/or catch fire.

Choosing the Right Light for your Project...

Wrapping Cables!

The size of your light source matters, mega-time. If you have a small light source in relation to your subject then your light will appear more hard. If you have a large light source in relation to your subject it will appear more soft by nature. This is important to keep in mind when you're choosing the light you want to use with your subject.

Small Light Sources = Hard Light

Wrapping cables matters. Not only does it make it easier for everyone using the cables to know what they're picking up, but it also extends the light of the cable. Watch one of these two videos to learn two different approaches to doing the same task.

Big Light Sources = Soft Light

Designing Your Lighting Setup

Key Light - The brightest light source no matter where it is placed or how small it is

Back Light - Adds light to the back of the subject's head/shoulders to help them stand out

Background Light - Shines on the background to give a sense of depth

Lighting can be hard on location when you have limited time, resources, and power. You can do a lot with a little, and many photographers get more skilled at this over the years.

Simple One-Light SetupGood lighting doesn't have to be complicated. If you are...

in a hurry

have limited space for your interview

aren't able to transport many lights

Use this simple lighting setup (below), which only requires one key light (shown above).

Three Point Lighting Setup This lighting setup is often used for formal interviews or high-end work. It gives a 3-dimensional shape to your subject and helps them stand out from the background.

This is a video demonstration of the three main lights used in typical lighting setups. The gentlemen in the video turn each light on individually so that viewers can see the effect on the subject. It is important to understand the role that each light plays in building the overall scene.

Example images of three point lighting:

Planning an Interview or Studio Setup

Map out the overhead layout of your interview. Decide where you want your subject to sit. Make sure the background is dynamic and relates to your subject. For example, don't interview the librarian in the metal fab shop. Interview her in the library with books as the backdrop.

Draw where your lights will go in relation to your interview subject. Label which will be the key light, fill light, and back light. Consider how you will power those lights with outlets nearby. Do not plan on plugging more than two lights into one outlet as you will likely blow a fuse.

Split Lighting Setup​A lighting style where one light (the key light) is on one side of the subject while there are no lights on the opposite side of the subject--creating a strong shadow on the other side of the subject.

Rembrandt Lighting SetupA lighting style named after the famous painter Rembrandt as he mastered lighting a small inverted triangle of light on the subject's cheek opposite from the light source. This can be achieved by placing the light above the subject and 45-degrees to one side..

Butterfly Lighting SetupA lighting style named as such because the light casts a shadow along the mouth that shaped like a butterfly. To achieve this, place a light directly above your subject at a 45-degree angle. Then hold a reflector underneath his/her chin to fill in the harsh shadow.

Keys to a Successful Shoot

Glasses: If your subject is wearing glasses then make sure you check to see if the lights are reflected in their glasses. This means that if you look through the camera you can see the lights in their eyes. To correct this, simply move the lights up about 2-feet above your subject's head and tilt the light down.

Chair: Make sure your subject is in a stationary chair if you want them seated. If your subject begins to move around then the lighting on his or her face will appear drastically different throughout the shoot.

Color Temperature: If you are photographing someone near a window then make sure to pull down the blinds, if possible. The blue light from the sun may contrast with your orange light coming from your lighting setup. Together the two will make for a strange effect on your subject's face.

Three Point Lighting is the standard form of lighting in journalism, film, and photography. This type of setup can be modified for any content or tone.

To take professional quality studio portraits students must learn about the basics of lighting and apply their new skills during live photoshoots. A lot of factors come into play including: types of lighting instruments, placement of lights, placement of a subject in relation to the lights, expression and emotion for the subject.

KEY TERMSKEY LIGHT - This is the strongest and most prominent light source in your photoshoot.

FILL LIGHT - This the light that balances out the key light, filling in shadows on the subject's face.

BACK LIGHT - This is the light that shines behind the subject to one side, lighting their shoulder to help them standout from the background.

THREE POINT LIGHTING - A style of lighting that utilizes three lights (key, fill, back) to give shape and definition during a studio photoshoot.

SPLIT LIGHTING - A lighting style where one light (the key light) is on one side of the subject while there are no lights on the opposite side of the subject--creating a strong shadow on the other side of the subject.

REMBRANDT LIGHTING - A lighting style named after the famous painter Rembrandt as he mastered lighting a small inverted triangle of light on the subject's cheek opposite from the light source. This can be achieved by placing the light above the subject and to one side.

BUTTERFLY LIGHTING - A lighting style named as such because the light casts a shadow along the mouth that shaped like a butterfly. To achieve this, place a light directly above your subject at a 45-degree angle. Then hold a reflector underneath his/her chin to fill in the harsh shadow.

Exercise:

Take studio portraits of a subject using a single light (key light).

Take studio portraits of a subject using a two lights (key light and fill light).

Take studio portraits of a subject using three point lighting (key light, fill light, back light).